internet speed w/without vpn

Discussion in 'privacy general' started by Rico, Aug 22, 2020.

  1. Rico

    Rico Registered Member

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    Is this normal or bad?

    1.jpg 2.jpg

    224 down vpn off, vs 20 Mbps. Express vpn 'router flash bios' install
     
  2. Palancar

    Palancar Registered Member

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    That is very unacceptable performance loss. The questions now arise. You have to examine latency (mostly determined by distance from your ISP servers to the VPN servers). What processor is on your machine(s) that is handling the decryption of the VPN tunnel traffic? If you are using a very low end device it might not be the VPN's fault. Using an encrypted tunnel produces a "mathematical" payload task that simply must be completed during the decryption process. If I select a nearby VPN server from any of my VPN providers I pull well over 100 meg day in and day out. On the other hand if I connect to a server on the other end of the world (even if its a Gig server locally) my pull through may drop to 20-40 meg. Crossing the atlantic on underground cables is highly latent.

    I saved this for last because this is most often the reason: Is your ISP capping performance on purpose? Many do. The solution quite often is to use a different connection protocol, adding SSL or SSH, TCP swapped to UDF or vice versa, or using unusual ports where they are not looking for traffic with their "monitors". There are lots of options and almost all the time with "internet sage" a user is able to penetrate the capping restrictions.

    router flash bios' ------------------ > you posted this above. If you are using a home router with your vpn then this is your number one starting point. Almost all but the highest end routers will trample your speeds because the processors in those units are terrible. Start here.

    These are my ideas for simple starting points. Don't freak out this stuff is quite easy once you learn you way around what makes things tick.
     
  3. Rico

    Rico Registered Member

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    @Palancar - Thank you sounds a little greek!

    My router is an: Asus RT-AC68U is that/could be the slow down with Express VPN? If so what higher end router would be better?

    I chatted with Bitdefender & I told them it was a router vpn, she had me make changes in the FW, no help. It seems like AV setting won't be o f much help, as it's router.

    My ISP to VPN server is 168miles.

    My ISP last night was down today I'm getting half speed, with no vpn.

    earlier today unplugged ethernt modem to router, plugged it into laptop, & only got 24Mbps down. ISP is 400 Mbps unlimited.

    Any settings in the Asus RT-AC68U to look at?

    Express VPN recommends (pre configured for) you still have to flash the bios. & they wrote code using the recommended

    most power -linksys wrt3200 acm
    best value -Netgear R6700 v3
    std- Netgear R7000
     

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    Last edited: Aug 22, 2020
  4. Palancar

    Palancar Registered Member

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    Well lets take a step back and try to isolate the problem from the "router" to make sure if its the router. Do you currently have a way to connect to your ISP without using the VPN operating on the router? Your first post here seems to indicate you can connect without the vpn. If so, do you have the knowledge to connect to your VPN (maybe they have a client for your desktop) using your computer and NOT the router for the encryption. ESPECIALLY try to connect an ethernet cable directly computer to router for this test, avoiding wireless completely if you can. Computers normally have much stronger processors than home routers. Again, as mentioned above its a "mathematical" equation that must be solved for decryption to occur on your end. Removing the router processor from the "math" problem and also avoiding wireless, because again it brings the router more into the equation. In this bare bones configuration you are simply examining IF you are being throttled by your ISP.

    Disclaimer: I have never used ExpressVPN. There are likely hundreds here that have at least dabbled with that provider. Folks reading along, feel free to jump in here especially if you have this vpn provider or have in the past.

    OP, let us know how the speed test goes with no router and no wireless if you can.
     
  5. Rico

    Rico Registered Member

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    Hello, here's what i've found. I connected ethernet to this PC. Nxt. at expressvpnrouter.c o m disconnect "VPN", I then installed the software app expressvpn. I connected to the same server, that the router was connected to.
    speed test: no vpn 230 mbps, vpn on router 25mbps, router vpn off, software vpn, on 122 mbps.

    This says to me slowdown is Asus RT-68U this router is a good 4yrs old.

    My current understanding is I can install expressvpn on as many devices as i wish, & can use up to 5 devices at a time. SmartTV & spare TV Roku, streaming "Prime" detects vpn and says turn vpn off to continue. Netflix does not detect vpn, also i use voip Vonnage refused to work with VPN. So two TV's & phone No Vpn selected from router page.

    Also on the install my AV BD's FW added a rule for express vpn & open vpn

    I leaning to un flash the Asus router, intall the vpn app, on PC's & i devices. If I brick the Asus Linksys wrt3200acm

    Edit: vpn software on, router vpn disabled
    upload_2020-8-23_21-34-36.png
     
  6. Palancar

    Palancar Registered Member

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    Good work! You found a bunch of answers to give you some direction. Many providers like Prime, Netflix, and many many others will try and block VPN's. For most of those providers there are somewhat easy ways around the blocks, but those ways vary and so there would be no single approach such as using a router. I have current hardware for my router but I still elect to have my computers do the "math" for the VPN tunnels.

    Touching back on wireless. Your router's wireless is NOT going to be decrypting anything so its simply passing along the data to the computers. Assuming you are using the 5Ghz ac band (most routers offer that now) you can get pretty decent speeds. I have all ac on my machines even older ones that didn't come with 5 ac. There are inexpensive 5-15db gain USB antennas made by realtek that have screaming speeds and nice drivers even for my linux systems. On Windows 10 and all linux I pull over 400 meg using these on older machines where 400 meg wireless wasn't even imagined during their mfg, LOL! Speeds drop to half that when I add any of my VPN providers (from our list of 5 here in this forum). These antennas are on the end of USB 3 cables about 3 feet from my machines to minimize interference and they work great.
     
  7. Rico

    Rico Registered Member

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    @Palancar Thank You! It's been a learning experience. Today was to be easy day, remove expressvpn from router & install the app on laptops & Pc's. This machine is ethernet & one other machine shares via switch. Awhile back, this machine ethernet icon changed (sys tray) to globe with hash mark, the sister machine staid ethernet. win 10 network reset no help, change ethernet cables, turned wifi off, reboot. windows network & sharing said ethernet no connection. Then like magic it corrected itself & all was good till today. Globe in the tray, wifi off (disabled the adapter wifi), still could use the browser, but some apps complained no internet. Then blink it was back, blink again & the globe is back. Talked to M$ fixed hung up got the globe again, call back. They did not do anything & the ethernet icon re-appeared. During this at control panel > network & shar > change device adapters 'bluetooth' has a big red X, but still works. Seems like it's windows problem, I dl the iso to re-install windows, got to make a list pf progs to re-install.

    Back to vpn:

    Seems like streaming & vpn is a big, meh! Smart TV & Roku, not targets of hackers, one heck of a bug if it goes to the Tv then infects the pc. Unlocking geo streaming another, meh. Expressvpn suggested a couple dif servers to try, fail. I did view NetFlix Canada another, meh! One the router, I said "no vpn for 3 devices, SmartTV, Roku, Vonnage (voip).

    Next iDevices, how much of a big deal is vpn for those, even on the road, infection is scarce, compared to windows. Selling Av's for iDevices, not a money maker.

    Also I would imagine the replacement $200 liksys router, processor would be no match for this machine i7 8th gen. So if the computer gods are with me tomorrow, I won't brick my asus.

    I get free from directv "HBO Max" tried to connect on pc with vpn no way, turn vpn off. i'm in,
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2020
  8. Rico

    Rico Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2004
    Posts:
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    Location:
    Canada
    Last night dl new firmware for Asus router, follow instructions to remove vpn from Asus router. Router magically morphed into a brick.

    New router::
    upload_2020-8-25_18-25-2.png no vpn


    upload_2020-8-25_18-23-57.png vpn on

    The crazy changing ethernet 'tray' icon now stable.

    A failing router seems to have caused occasional changes to tray icon. Could it also slow ethernet speed?

    Also I thought I was pretty smart, from modem ethernet to 4 port switch, best was two devices at a time, and not reliable. Crazy stuff!
     

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